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SIMPLE STEPS THAT CAN TRULY HELP OUR LOVED ONES IN HOSPICE CARE. Before I get started on my steps to this article I would like for you to read the contraindications first. Contraindications are as follows: This is for adult application NOT for use on babies or small children! This is for adult application on a person without open sores or bruising. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL OF THE TEMPERATURE!!! I always test the towels after they come out of the microwave fully open on my inner arms before applying to another person. I also always ask to see if they can handle the temperature of the towel prior to placing the complete towel on the area. Always never cover the whole body up with the warmed up towels! Always never cover the face up at all!!!! This process is only for short term use. Now let’s get started;) 1) I have noticed is if I use towels,(hand or body size works the best)that have been damped and then wrung out very well, then microwaved to become warmed up NOT HOT when applied to the person’s area of the muscles that feel tight this not only aides in the loosening up of the tight muscles this helps create a blood flow to the area that is quite soothing as well. Some of you would probably say to me that this is something that almost all therapeutic massages come with when having done. However, so many of my client’s themselves, family or loved ones have never had a therapeutic massage so they aren’t aware of this simple step. 2) Once the towel has been applied to the person’s area that is in need I use gentle touch massaging pressure to the area. Client’s state that this feels absolutely lovely. 3) This will also aide in the gentle removal of dry skin so after you use the towel applications a nice lotion with German Chamomile or Lavender essential oil blends can be quite lovely if your loved one can tolerate the lotions on their skin as well as if they don't mind the smell.
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The following supplies are need to do a steam inhalation:
Timer Pan or teapot to boil 2 cups of water 2 cups of water Up to 3 drops of therapeutic essential oils that work well for steam inhalations Towel Ceramic or Glass Bowl that can handle boiling water Steps: 1. Place 2 cups of water to boil on stove top. 2. While waiting get the other supplies ready. 3. Place up to 3 drops of therapeutic essential oils of your choosing into heat resistant bowl. 4. Set timer to 2 minutes. 5. When water is boiling place boiling water into heat resistant bowl. 6. Turn off heat on stove top. 7. Start timer that you have set for 2 minutes. 8. Cover your head and the bowl with the boiling water and essential oils with your towel. Please be careful due to the steam and boiling water is extremely hot. Try to work quickly so as to catch as much of the steam due to the essential oil drops are in the steam droplets that are evaporating. Make sure at all times while under the towel to NOT OPEN YOUR EYES OR BREATHE THROUGH YOUR MOUTH. FAQ: How many times per day can a steam inhalation be done? Can be done up to 4 times a day for 4 days. FAQ: Can I use more than 3 drops? Up to 3 drops seems to be the given number due to nasal fatigue that can occur when more than 3 is used. On a personal note: When I need a steam inhalation I noticed that 3 drops is too much for me so I do only 2 drops and only 3 times a day for 4 days. Some in my family love 3 drops in a steam inhalation. Here are just some of the essential oils that are used in steam inhalations: For a Cold: Eucalyptus Rosemary Tea Tree Lavender Expectorants: Basil Sage Oregano Thyme Marjoram Rosemary Precautions and Safety Concerns: Please take note that some of the essential oils listed are not to be used when pregnant, nursing, on babies, children, or animals, those with asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, blood conditions and allergies. Intro: When I was a little girl I distinctly remember my mom each and every time she would make spaghetti sauce placing about two tablespoons of Italian seasonings into the palm of her hands. She would then rub the herbs together in her palms prior to releasing the herbs into the pot of spaghetti sauce. Afterwards she'd place her hands by her face and take a deep breath in and say, " Aaaaah." One time she looked so happy that I asked her what she was doing and she explained to me that she had released the oils from the herbs and now some of the oils had remained on her hands so she was enjoying their amazing scents. Then she placed her palms in front of my face and offered me a whiff. A moment and smell permanently sealed in my precious memories of my mom's love for me and the herbs. So here's my story: Approximately 40 years later it has come my turn with my daughter and as life hands it to us mothers we are given the opportunity to do as our mothers did before us with our children.... I was in the kitchen with my daughter cooking when I shared with her the story of Grandma and myself as a little girl smelling the Italian herbs when she would make Italian spaghetti sauce. I then went on to explain that I realized that all the Italian seasoning herbs are also made into a therapeutic essential oil in which is then used in medicine. To my surprise my daughter stated she didn't know this. Seizing this opportunity I went on to explain that all Italian seasoning herbs are made into excellent therapeutic essential oils for the body to INHALE in a steam inhalation when you have chest congestion due to each one is an excellent expectorant. Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram and Sage Therapeutic Essential Oils are excellent for use in steam inhalations for chest congestion. However no more than three drops in total are able to be used at any given time in a steam inhalation. EXAMPLE: 1 drop of Rosemary essential oil, 2 drops of Thyme essential oil to equal 3 drops in total of essential oils for a steam inhalation or 3 drops of Sage essential oil for a steam inhalation. However when she asked me can you consume a therapeutic essential oil the answer is NO! THERAPEUTIC ESSENTIAL OILS ARE NOT TO BE CONSUMED. Also the oils suggested in this article are not to be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. *If interested in how to do a steam inhalation please click on the link > Steam Inhalation. On reflection: I think of my mom and am most grateful for the opportunity she gave me that one day in her kitchen. If not for her the love of herbs and their amazing essence may very well of alluded me. My hope is I have done the same for my daughter. Thanks Mom!  NAUSEA: The following essential oils help with nausea, are to be applied only topically and should be diluted in a carrier oil when applied to the different areas of the body. SUGGESTED ESSENTIAL OILS: The therapeutic essential oils of peppermint, basil and lavender. WHERE TO APPLY: In a blend on the upper chest. By the temples being very careful not to get any into the eyes. On a cotton ball and or tissue to be inhaled by the nose when necessary. In a nasal inhaler tube. In an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser. Nasal inhaler tubes can be purchased on Amazon. They are great to utilize, not expensive, can be carried with you wherever you may go, and can be used not only for nausea but for those who suffer from headaches and anxiety as well. DEPRESSION: In an aromatherapy essential oil diffuser the following essential oils that create an uplifting affect: eucalyptus orange lemon peppermint lavender HEADACHES: The following therapeutic essential oils of lavender and rosemary help with headaches, are to be applied only topically and should be diluted in a carrier oil when applied to the different areas of the body. Areas of the body as to where to apply the oil blend are to be massaged into the temples, across the brow, and behind the neck.  How to Make a Balm
This makes about 9 ounces Helpful Hints: 1. Have all the necessary ingredients ready and measured prior to starting your balm. This includes the containers that you will be using to store the balm in. This especially helps when time is of the essence when pouring the balms mixture due to limited cooling down time. 2. Use a small mouth mason jar making it easier to pour mixture to container. 3. Using a long chopstick is beneficial when having to stir your balm due to minimum amount of your balm is on the chopstick and by far easier to clean up. 4. Pending on your balm ingredients you can use a metal screw cap however the plastic lids sold in the the stores by the mason jars are best in my opinion due to some ingredients when mixed can become toxic when touching metal as well as rust prevention over time. 5. Label the balm you make with the ingredients, date of when made as well as an expiration date. You Will Need the Following Equipment: 1. Stove top, double boiler,or a warming burner of some sort to warm up the ingredients. 2. Mason jar 3. Timer 4. Enough water to fill one inch of bottom of pan. 5. Deep enough pan like in the picture above. 6. Long chopstick 7. Spatula dedicated to the balms you will be making due to you do not want some of your essential oils, etc. mixed in with food consumption. 8. Food grade scale 9. Tape or labels 10. Waterproof pen You Will Need the Following Ingredients: 2 ounces of Beeswax 2 ounces of Coconut Oil 2 ounces of Jojoba Oil .05 Cocoa Butter *Can substitute out the coconut oil and jojoba oil for a different carrier oil like kukui nut oil, avocado oil. Therapeutic Essential Oils Instructions 1. Place pan with 1 inch of water on stove top. You want the ingredients to melt not boil so keep your stove top burner at low. 2. Fill mason jar with all the ingredients except the therapeutic essential oils. 3. Place mason jar with all the ingredients into the pan. 4. Warm up ingredients until they are all melted. Approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 5. Stir ingredients until well blended. 6. Turn off burner 7. Take jar out of water bath. 8. Set timer for approximately 10 minutes to cool off. Can take a shorter amount of time pending on how cool your home is and the size of your jar. 9. Once cooled down add to the ingredients in the jar the therapeutic essential oils of your choosing. Always allow your ingredients to cool off prior to adding any therapeutic essential oil due to you may compromise the therapeutic essential oils which can be volatile. 10. Stir until thoroughly blended. 11. Immediately pour into containers. 12. Let cool down completely before you place any lids on your balm container to prevent any condensation build up which will lead to mold. Also the condensation can lead to rust if using tins. 13. Label what you have made. 14. Enjoy!   This picture is of my future son-in-law Maika prior to applying minor wound repair balm for a motorcycle accident with road rash he experienced. Many mahalos for the pics. Medicine Maker Mama's Homemade Balm for Minor Wound Repair I like to call this balm "The 4 A's" due to its ability to be an Antibacterial, Antibiotic, Anti-inflammatory, and Antiseptic.  After 5 days with applying the balm once a day, the wound kept clean, and bandaged. Clean+Balm+Covered=Healing at a Faster Rate With Less Chance of Scarring
Many of us were taught to let the wound air out. This has actually been proven inaccurate and leads to scarring. http://www.woundsource.com/blog/clearing-air-about-moist-vs-dry-wound-healing Ingredients: Patchouli, Bergamot, Birch and Sage Essential Oils, Beeswax, Organic Refined Coconut Oil, 100% Organic Jojoba Oil, 100% Raw Cocoa Butter. Patchouli Essential Oil is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, cicatrisant, and cytophylactic. Birch Essential Oil is an analgesic, antiseptic. Sage Essential Oil is an antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cicatrisant, depurative, disinfectant. Beeswax is an antimicrobial and an emollient. Jojoba Oil is an emollient Raw Cocoa Butter is an anti-oxidant and an emollient. Refined Coconut Oil is an anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and an emollient. RECIPE *This recipe makes approximately 9 ounces Patchouli Essential Oil 42 drops Bergamot Essential Oil 72 drops Birch Essential Oil 36 drops Sage Essential Oil 36 drops Beeswax 2 oz Organic Coconut Oil 2 oz 100% Organic Jojoba Oil 2 oz 100% Raw Cocoa Butter .05 oz If you want to see how to make a balm please click on the button below. *SIDE NOTES: It took Maika my future son-in-law in the pictures 2 oz of the balm applied once a day. Resources: http://www.woundsource.com/blog/clearing-air-about-moist-vs-dry-wound-healing https://www.band-aid.com/proper-wound-care/wound-care-myths https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/sage-essential-oil.htm https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-birch-essential-oil.html https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-patchouli-essential-oil.html http://womanitely.com/wonderful-benefits-cocoa-butter/ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html https://draxe.com/coconut-oil-uses/  1. Anticipate Withdrawal Symptoms: Know that you will probably be every millisecond thinking of sugar due to the body going through withdrawal. I read that by 48 to 72 hours it gets easier. This I believe is determined on a scale of how much on a daily basis you consumed sugar. Also know that at any given time because of your body having such a withdrawal that you may very easily slip back into eating sugar. With this taken into consideration have a sugar free snack immediately ready for you to consume. Your snack to you at this given time is like an EpiPen to a person with a bee allergy just stung. 2. Learn The Alternative Names For Sugar: Go with an alternative names for sugar list when you go food shopping. Be prepared that you will be reading all the packaging ingredients list of what you purchase which will take a while. Here is an excellent example of an alternative names for sugar list from http://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/hidden-in-plain-sight. *Agave Nectar, Bardados Sugar, Barley Malt, Barley Malt Syrup, Beet Sugar, Brown Sugar, Buttered Syrup, Cane Juice, Cane Juice Crystals, Cane Sugar, Caramel, Carob Syrup, Castor Sugar, Coconut Palm Sugar, Coconut Sugar, Confectioner's Sugar, Corn Sweetener, Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids, Date Sugar, Dehydrated Cane Sugar, Demerara Sugar, Dextrin, Dextrose, Evaporated Cane Juice, Free-flowing brown sugars, Fructose, Fruit Juice, Fruit Juice Concentrate, Glucose, Glucose Solids, Golden Sugar, Grape Sugar, HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup), *Honey, Icing Sugar, Invert Sugar, Malt Syrup, Maltodextrin, Maltol, Maltose, Mannose, Maple Syrup, Molasses, Muscovado, Palm Sugar, Panocha, Powdered Sugar, Raw Sugar, Refiner's Syrup, Rice Syrup, Saccharose, Sorghum Syrup, Sucrose, Sugar (granulated), Sweet Sorghum, Syrup, Treacle, Turbinado Sugar, Yellow Sugar. *Honey in its natural raw state gives us immense medicinal healing benefits. It is only when honey is heated and processed that its medicinal qualities are taken away and then made into a sweetener. *Agave Nectar in its natural state gives us medicinal healing benefits. It is only when utilized as a sweetener for cooking that its medicinal aspect is no longer given. 3. Know Your Schedule Of Eating Times: Know when you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, holidays, birthdays, special functions for work or school, dates, family famous and favorite recipe, as well as your work schedule's time of eating so that you can have sugarless meals planned accordingly. If life dictates that your lifestyle is so on the go and unpredictable then know the menu of the places you eat at so that you can have the sugarless items. 4. Know When You Use Sugar The Most: You will have to take an inventory of when you are prone to eat your sugar fix. Some it is during stressful situations, some it is an emotional comfort food, whatever time it may be know it and avoid it like the plague. May you succeed! Resources: (1) http://sugarscience.ucsf.edu/hidden-in-plain-sight |
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